Memories come flooding back

For Ros and her partner Jeff the start of 2013 signals the beginning of the rebuild of their new home, almost exactly 2 years since the deluge claimed it.

After 5 moves to temporary rental properties, they say it's taken the last 2 years to see a sense of optimism return about the rebuild process.

"We've learnt lessons, we know what not to do, we know what we don't want," Ros says.

"We had no idea it would take this long, and in contrast this year I'm feeling much more optimistic."

Ros says it was a mixed bag when it came to support from government agencies in the days and months post flood.

"In 2011 there was an enormous amount of community support, and charity organisations, [but] government agencies have been incredibly mixed, and there has been continuing frustrations with insurance," she says.

They, like thousands of other families across Brisbane and Ipswich have failed to receive anything from their insurer, despite the insurance industry reportedly posting over $1 billion dollars in profits after the floods.

"We won't know until we build our new house what it will cost to reinsure it but we're flood mitigating as much as we can," Ros says.

Financial setbacks aside the biggest challenge has been navigating the bureaucratic minefield over whether they could return to their dwellings and rebuild or renovate.

At the 24 month mark, it seems the recovery process for Ros and Jeff can finally proceed, even if the feelings of optimism come laced with trepidation.

"There's a silver lining [in being able to rebuild] but it's covered in a bit of mud," Jeff jokes.

"There's still an element of surreal about it. Even though we've been through 2 years of constant change and frustrations about not being able to move forward the fact that we are in that position now, there's still a sense of unreality."

"But almost two years to the day that we assessed the damage of our home, we will be choosing the titles for the new one," Ros says.

Ipswich resident Vicki Ash says families in her community are still recovering, both financially and emotionally.

"We're still slowly rebuilding, but we're getting there. Most people are back in their houses but the memories will last a lifetime."

Vicki started the Ipswich Flood Survivors group on Facebook to unite her community in the wake of the floods, and says it's continued to be an invaluable support to the community.

"We still talk to each other, we still go out for dinner. It's a group of people who can share the same experiences and relate to each other," she says.

She says some residents are on anti-depressants to cope with their situation, two years since the event.

"It's moral and emotional support. If you're having a bad day you can talk to someone who has been through the same thing and knows how you're feeling."

She says the community, who are continuing to fight their insurers and the ombudsman over not receiving any insurance claims, have been outraged by the profits turned over by the insurance industry in the last financial year.

"Premiums are skyrocketing and it's becoming unaffordable for a lot of families to have their home and contents insured for flood."

"There's a young family in Hastie Street, Ipswich their quotes ranged from $6,000 to $17,500 to insure their house."

"I think the focus should be on making insurance affordable for families so next time it happens they're protected, they will get their houses rebuilt and they can move on with their lives, rather than living in limbo," Vicki says.

We asked you on Facebook your memories of the time. This is what you said.

Karen Mears:

"Working at Rocklea, I called my manager to say I wouldn't be in for my 2pm start as I was concerned the Ipswich Motorway would be closed..."

"The text message the next day from our big boss to say the warehouse had gone right under was heartbreaking. However two years on we are bigger and better than ever," Karen says.

Susannah Holmes of Sandgate says while she was unaffected from the deluge the images of belongings washing out to sea will stick with her.

"Bramble Bay was a mess and we were not flooded, yet had a bay littered with people's belongings, and of wildlife washed out to sea.

"There was upheaval for many, while we sat in sunshine...a circle of clear sky above us, with ominous clouds beyond that circle in every direction, [we] wondered at the ways of nature and how we in Sandgate were protected," she says.